VOLVO, that most sensible of car manufacturers, is synonymous with safety.

You don't buy a Volvo to go fast, you buy one to keep you and your loved ones safe. There's no other car I'd rather be driving in the event of a prang.

But times are changing.

Since the company was bought by Geely, an ambitious Chinese group, staid old Volvo has undergone a transformation.

Li Shufu, Volvo's new billionaire owner, believes demand from the Chinese market will help his new purchase double its sales to 800,000 vehicles by the end of this decade.

So future Volvos will feature more bling so as to tempt wealthy Chinese buyers who like nothing more than excess(especially if it's chrome-plated).

Volvo is also sexing up its sensible image by cultivating a new high-performance sub-brand based around the Polestar factory racing team.

The new S60 and V60 Polestars will be sold on four continents in 2014.

Volvo will launch them in Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the US, with further markets, final production numbers and pricing to be revealed next year.

In the UK, however, Volvo will only sell the V60 Polestar estate - perhaps hoping to tap into nostalgic memories of the Volvo 850R Estate that cleaned up in the BTCC 20 years ago.

Upgrades include 80 per cent stiffer (!?) springs (compared to the standard V60), high performance Ohlins shockers and enormous 20-inch alloys. The chassis' rigidity has also been stiffened to cope with the suspension changes.

At the front, six-pot Brembo brakes grip 371mm ventilated front discs for maximum stopping power.

A new front front air dam optimises airflow underneath the car and a new rear spoiler and diffusor increase downforce.

Naturally, the six-cylinder turbo-charged T6 engine has undergone extensive development with a new twin-scroll turbo and intercooler to produce 350 bhp at 5,700 rpm and 369 lb/ft of torque at 2,800 rpm. The engine breathes through a 2.5” stainless steel exhaust system.

The Polestar will be available with a six-speed paddle shift automatic gearbox that will send power to all four wheels.

Volvo claims the 0-62 sprint takes just 4.9 seconds. The top speed is limited to 155 mph.

The interior has been reworked with new details, materials and Polestar colours, such as the steering wheel, seats and more, with the sole purpose of increasing driver support and control.

Henrik Fries, S/V60 Polestar Technical Project Manager said: ”We have taken a major step forward in all areas, from chassis and engine to interior and exterior details. Development work has been focused on the overall package in order to create a car that you want to use every day, both from a practical and emotional perspective."

Deliveries are due to begin next June.

Technical Specification: Performance 0-62 mph 4.9 sec 0-124 mph 17.7 sec Top speed 155 mph – Electronically limited Chassis Polestar Öhlins shock absorber system Polestar bespoke rims, 8x20” ET53 with 245/35R20 tyres Engine 6-cylinder inline T6 engine, 2953 cc 350 hp @ 5700 rpm 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) @ 2800-4750 rpm Max 6500 rpm New twin-scroll Borg Warner turbo New intercooler Polestar 2.5” stainless full-flow exhaust system with twin 3.5” tail pipes Weight V60 Polestar: 1822 kg Transmission AWF21 automatic gearbox with paddle shift system Polestar transmission calibration for faster gearshifts, launch control and curve-hold functionality Polestar Haldex calibration for more rear torque dynamic distribution Polestar calibrated stability control system Brakes Front: Polestar/Brembo 6 piston brake calipers 371x32 mm ventilated and floating Brembo discs Rear: 302x22 mm ventilated discs